Calling Bullshit

The world is awash with bullshit, and we’re drowning in it.

The world is awash with bullshit, and we’re drowning in it. Defining Bullshit. Bullshit is characterized by a blatant disregard for truth, logical coherence, or what information is actually being conveyed, often intended to persuade or impress. It differs from lying, which is a deliberate attempt to deceive, as bullshitters may not even care about the truth. Bullshit can be old-school, using rhetoric and fancy language, or new-school, using math and science to create an impression of rigor. Origins of Bullshit. Bullshit is not a modern invention, with roots tracing back to ancient sophists and even animal deception. Animals, like mantis shrimp and ravens, use deception for survival, but humans take it to the next level with language and theory of mind. The Need for Detection. In today's world, adequate bullshit detection is essential for the survival of liberal democracy. Democracy has always relied on a critically thinking electorate, but never has this been more important than in the current age of fake news and international interference in the electoral process via propaganda disseminated over social media.

The invention of new and various kinds of communication has given a voice and an audience to many people whose opinions would otherwise not be solicited, and who, in fact, have little else but verbal excrement to contribute to public issues. Democratization and its Dark Side. The internet has democratized information, allowing marginalized voices to be heard and niche communities to form. However, this democratization has a dark side, as amateur writers can reach audiences as large as professional journalists, but often lack the training and incentives to report accurately. Click-Driven Media. The internet news economy is driven by clicks, prioritizing sensationalism and emotional engagement over quality and accuracy. This has led to an arms race among headlines, with publishers promising emotional experiences rather than conveying facts. Partisanship and Polarization. Online, mainstream outlets deliver news with a partisan slant, isolating people in echo chambers. Hyperpartisan news sources further distort information, and algorithms amplify content that aligns with users' sociopolitical orientations, suppressing alternative viewpoints.

Bullshit involves language, statistical figures, data graphics, and other forms of presentation intended to persuade or impress an audience by distracting, overwhelming, or intimidating them with a blatant disregard for truth, logical coherence, or what information is actually being conveyed. Persuasion Over Truth. Bullshit is not merely about falsehood; it's about persuasion or impression management without regard for truth. The speaker aims to manipulate the listener with rhetorical flair, superfluous detail, or statistical snake oil. The Black Box Analogy. Bullshit often functions like a "black box," shielding claims from scrutiny by using jargon, complex statistics, or sophisticated technology that…